Question about my septic leach field size

[PILOON]

All I know is 25 years ago I hand dug a septic and poured a concrete tank with baffle etc and again dug an absorption field as per designs of the time.

My 'out of pocket' was crushed stone, cement blocks and some bags of concrete.
Lots of elbow grease.
Covers were made from cedar planks.

22 years later I had it pumped as the P traps were slow and gurgled.
It turned out that a tenant had flushed a non degradable rag which clogged the system.
The pumper guy stated that my system was in the same condition of a 3 year old new system pumped for first time.

Today I would need perk tests, and bionest equoflow or whatever newfangled system the city was sold on as being the best at that time.

I will add we as an association provide dye test so that our members can analyze any time they wish to locate problems.
We furthermore do annual water tests of our lake to hopefully spot any problem areas.

20 years back a then conforming septic costed about $3000 to build but with all the perk tests, permits and surveys one has to expect the costs to be in the $25k -$30 range.
I know some systems even have a series of circulation pumps incorporated.
Others use peat moss as an absorbant media and I don't envy the cost of replacement when that is due.
I expect that soon someone will come up with a computer controlled system that will perform a monthly analysis.

No matter, today we have to pump every 2 years subject to fines if we don't comply.

That's progress!

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I had about $5500 in putting in my conventional system including the tank and the rentals of the machines. I saved alot of money doing my own design and my own contracting work. I wills say, that I would like to add an aerator to my tank to turn it into an aerobic system instead of an anaerobic system. For a couple dollars a month operating cost, it would really improve the function of the system. Also, I over sized my drain field by about 25% just because I easily could. I tend to over do things being an engineer. The PA State regulations are very clear on how every type of system has to be done, and my local SEO was very helpful with any questions or concerns that I had. We also have to pump every 2 years and submit the pumping ticket to the municipality or we will be fined.

 

[oosik]

True story. Alaska was always an "experiment" for companies with new & exotic treatment systems. We were remote and had unsophisticated rules/regs. One company came with a treatment system that, they claimed, produced potable water from the home sewage. I talked with their rep for an hour - bottom line, no way in H**L we were going to approve this system. All mechanical systems can/will fail. What does the family do then?

They finally convinced one family to instal this unit on their home. Fortunately, the house was still under construction -not yet being lived in. I talked to the husband/wife at length. They were set on trying it - besides, it was being installed free.

As a last resort - I had the visiting nurse in that area contact the family. She request a blood sample from each family member. This was to establish a base line. It would allow us to track their progress as they became sick, got worse and would probably, eventually, die.

The adults finally saw the folly in their initial decision and went with a standard septic system and water well.

The salesman dried up and with the prevailing winds - he blew home.

 

[Oldoak]

I had about $5500 in putting in my conventional system including the tank and the rentals of the machines. I saved alot of money doing my own design and my own contracting work. I wills say, that I would like to add an aerator to my tank to turn it into an aerobic system instead of an anaerobic system. For a couple dollars a month operating cost, it would really improve the function of the system. Also, I over sized my drain field by about 25% just because I easily could. I tend to over do things being an engineer. The PA State regulations are very clear on how every type of system has to be done, and my local SEO was very helpful with any questions or concerns that I had. We also have to pump every 2 years and submit the pumping ticket to the municipality or we will be fined.

Modify your system and go with an aerator to turn it into an aerobic system instead of an anaerobic system. You will be glad you did.

We installed an aerobic septic system when we built our first house back in 1973. Still using the same leach bed today without any problems. Though we did have to replace the aerator once. We only have our septic tank pumped every 5 years. Even then the outfit that pumps our tank said it really could go longer between being pumped out.

When we built our new house 6 years ago, on the same property, and cut into the old septic line to tap into and use exiting leach field, the inside of the old pipe looked as clean as the day installed in 1973. We live in the opposite end of the state from where you are.

 

[newbury]

<snip>..it only gets complicated and costly if you start having problems with it..........Jack

Or if you try and sell it and need to bring it up to new standards.

 

[Oldoak]

Or if you try and sell it and need to bring it up to new standards.

That "usually" doesn't come into play unless there is a problem with the existing system. However if the system needs work, then it must comply with all the current standards. At least that is the way it is in my state.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Modify your system and go with an aerator to turn it into an aerobic system instead of an anaerobic system. You will be glad you did.

We installed an aerobic septic system when we built our first house back in 1973. Still using the same leach bed today without any problems. Though we did have to replace the aerator once. We only have our septic tank pumped every 5 years. Even then the outfit that pumps our tank said it really could go longer between being pumped out.

When we built our new house 6 years ago, on the same property, and cut into the old septic line to tap into and use exiting leach field, the inside of the old pipe looked as clean as the day installed in 1973. We live in the opposite end of the state from where you are.

That's great news. I sent you a pm to get some more details!